Starting salaries in Scotland “rose strongly” in September reflecting a lack of available candidates for vacancies, according to new labour market data from Bank of Scotland.

The bank's September labour market survey of more than 100 Scottish recruitment consultants suggests the number of people placed in permanent jobs in Scotland rose for the nineteenth consecutive month, though the pace of growth was weaker than the previous three months.

While the number of job vacancies rose in Scotland in September, the pace of growth was the slowest recorded in 11-months.

However, the job vacancy level was still among the highest seen in the series' history and above the equivalent UK index for the third month in a row.

According to Bank of Scotland's latest labour market barometer, the fall in permanent candidate supply in Scotland was the second-fastest in the survey's history and just behind the record set in August.

The report found demand for staff was strongest in the nursing, medical and care sector, IT and computing and engineering and construction.

The barometer measures staff demand, employment and wages to create a single-figure snapshot of labour market conditions, with a baseline of 50 and a score above 50 representing growth and below 50 contraction.

The Scottish labour market barometer score was 64.9 in September, down slightly from the previous month's figure of 67.1.

Aberdeen recorded the steepest rise in both permanent staff placements and temporary billings, while Edinburgh recorded the slowest rates of growth in both permanent and temporary staff placing.

Glasgow recorded the most marked deterioration in permanent candidate availability and Dundee recorded the sharpest fall in temp candidate supply.

Commenting on the latest figures, Bank of Scotland's chief economist, Donald MacRae, said: “September's barometer showed a continuing rise in the number of people appointed to both permanent and temporary jobs, although at a lower rate than recent highs. “Starting salary pay rose strongly reflecting the growing lack of available candidates for vacant positions.

“The barometer is showing almost four years of monthly improvement resulting in the rate of unemployment in September of 5.5 per cent. The Scottish economic recovery continues.”

Finance Secretary John Swinney said the figures present “further evidence of a strengthening labour market in Scotland”.

Adding: “The latest budget for Scotland outlines key measures that will secure continued growth and further improvements in employment, for example through our £4.5 billion of infrastructure investment in 2015-16 and support for businesses by continuing to deliver the most competitive business tax environment in the UK.”